Lanelle Hall's Blog, page 3

Black Book Editors? (EDITOR SEARCH)

So I'm getting close to that stage (sort of) where I'm in search of an editor, I won't need one until after April but I've started looking.  This isn't a requirement but I'd love to hire a black editor, especially a black female.  It won't be the end of the world if I can't find one but it would be nice.  If anyone knows of any black book editors please either email me at  authorlanellehall@yahoo.com or reply to this post.  Or contact me if you know of any good freelance editors in general, thanks.

Progress!

I'm making progress, finally. Real progress.  But I'm still unsure when Mean Boys is coming out, for right now I'm taking it one step at a time.  I hope to have it out to the Beta Readers (I haven't found yet) by April.  There's lots of changes coming: new cover, blurb, etc.  2017 is going to be a year of progress, I'm forcing myself to ignore any negativity 2016 (and 2017) has brought.  I'm publishing this year no matter what.  If I have any readers interested in being a Beta Reader please email me, I won't have the book readable until April but if you want to reserve a spot let me know!

I hate reading?

As an author reading is fundamental, it's a general rule that to be a great writer you must read.  Good books, bad books, over-hyped books, doesn't matter.  YOU MUST READ.  So, then, I'm wondering as a writer why can't I read?  Growing up books were my life, literally.  They saved me.  I've had severe depression since I was a child and books were my escape.  Fiction and graphic novels.  The library was my safe haven, I went so often the librarians were my friends.  Everyday after school the library was where I'd go, no matter what, rain or shine.  I'd be one of the few kids actually searching for books and not there to use a computer. LOL
To put it simply reading was my life, I couldn't go a day without reading or writing.  Now as a 24 year old adult, not so much.  I barely read.  BARELY.  Aside from social media I haven't read much in months.  I'll read occasionally but I'll admit I haven't been engrossed in a book in a long time and I hate it.  Not reading isn't a big deal for a "normal" person but when you're a writer it's devastating.  I never have muse, I constantly criticize my own writing, and I'm not inspired.
I don't even read manga and that's visual, so either something's wrong with me or I hate reading.  Then again if I really hated reading I wouldn't constantly think about it, I wouldn't care.
I don't hate reading.
My life has just...changed, naturally.
But now I'm tired of it, I need to start reading again for my sanity.
So what I've done is Google how to get back into reading and the top remedies are to re-read your favorite books and set a specific time to read each day.  Luckily I own my all time favorite manga series, Banana Fish.  I haven't read it in years and I'm only missing the last volume.  This series is a masterpiece, I could read it a million times and still love it.  (here's my collection)As for favorite fiction book the only one I can think of is Kindred by Octavia Butler, it's amazing.  Almost life changing.  I don't own it but I can easily download the epub on my phone.  Lastly I need to set aside some time for myself to read every day.  Which for me would be right before I go to bed.  I guess the point of this blog post is to prove to myself that I don't hate reading (I'm not a weirdo lol).  I'm just a person whose somehow lost passion for something that I once truly loved. 

And that happens. 

Unfortunately it's effecting my creativity as a writer so it's crucial for me to pick up the reading habit again. 

How can you write if you're not reading? 

Right?

Changing name! (Now Lanelle Hall)

I've decided that I will be changing my Author name from Barbie Hall to my real name which is Lanelle Hall.  It took me a while to come to this decision, I chose the name back in 2013.  Barbie came from a nickname I was called as a teenager and I really thought it would be a good fit as my author name.  Until I started thinking more about my books in the future and how I want them to be a complete representation of me.  So, my name from now on will be Lanelle Hall, I'm writing this blog-post as a warning for the future changes.  I will be changing my Goodreads, all of my links, etc.  I'll have to revamp lots of things so if you see Mean Boys being associated with the name Lanelle Hall don't be alarmed.  I'll also be getting a brand new cover made for Mean Boys and I'm kind of dreading the whole author name change on Goodreads because I'm sure it's going to be a hard process.  But at least I haven't published yet.  ^^  
Updates on Mean Boys coming soon, thanks for reading! 
-Lanelle Hall

-

mmm

Passion for writing, gone?

I'm not dead, still here.  One huge thing has happened to me, I figured out why I can't write.  It's not because I have no muse or I'm out of love with writing, it's because I have depression.  Severe depression.  For a long time I didn't realize that was the reason, I seriously thought it was because I just couldn't write.  Not the case.  I've battled depression since I was in middle school and have been hospitalized in high school because of it.  As a teenager I would go through withdrawals if I didn't read or write at least once during the day.  Now as an adult it's at it's worst it's ever been, I can go weeks without even thinking of writing, for a long time I didn't realize it could effect me like this.  A symptom of depression is losing the passion you once had for things that you love, I lost the passion.  And sadly it's not just for writing.  
I'm still writing what I can everyday, I won't release Mean Boys until it's at the level of perfection that I dreamed of it being.  Of course nothing is perfect and I know it won't be but I still want to be proud of my work.  So I've added more chapters which is putting me back at that first draft stage, at the same time I have other chapters in their third draft.  It's super discombobulated.  When I write my next book I'm never doing it this way again.  Though I'm happy to make the mistakes now than later.  I have to keep telling myself "it's not writers block it's depression" and I'm never going to fully recover unless I get help.  Real help.  I'm planning on visiting a facility geared toward helping Adult mental health.  I'm not sure how this will turn out but it's better than doing nothing.  I'm letting the days go by of feeling like utter crap, not writing, wallowing in self pity, and wanting to die.  I'm getting help no matter what, I don't want to give up on myself.  I'm praying my next post will about finally publishing Mean Boys.
Wish me luck. 

Where's the book?

Here's my list of reasons (excuses) on why my book still isn't out yet.  The book is short, not even a 150 pages and yet it's still not out?  What's up?  Here's my reasons:

 I've been going through some eye issues, my eyes have been irritating and burning whenever I stare too long at my computer screen.  I work at a desk in front of a computer for eight hours everyday so that plus going home to look at another screen is causing me a lot of pain.  I've taken the measures to get these issues checked out but I won't be able to see a doctor until next month.Second reason my soul sucking job.  I work in a call center that deals with billing problems BILLING so when people call me they're always mad, yelling, angry, and calling me names.  It causes me so much stress whenever I get home all I want to do is eat, sleep, and cry.  Editing or writing is the last thing on my mind.  Then when I try to write I feel like it's all complete garbage and I stop.  I hate it, I could be done by now.  The saddest part is I always get the most urge to write when I'm actually at work.  I'm also on the verge of being fired due to my performance so that's another thing.  I happy to have a form of income but I absolutely despise this job.  I want to be a writer, that's it!  I know writing may not take off for me so I'm now in the process of finding another job.Anxiety/Depression.  I've been dealing with depression since middle school and the while anxiety thing just started a few years ago.  With my book I'm greatly worried about my family reading it.  That sounds weird but for me they have such high expectations I'm afraid that they'll realize I'm actually not as good of a writer or storyteller than they thought.  Or they won't like the characters or subject matter.  It physically makes me sick just thinking about it.  I know people will hate my book and I'm okay with that, I WANT TO SEE BAD REVIEWS so I can know how to improve on my next book.  I just worry I'll disappoint my family or they'll be embarrassed of me cause my writing is so shitty.  So there are my vague reasons, I want to have it out before the summer if not before the end of April but I'm not so sure.  Sorry if anyone is actually interested in my book.

Where's the book?

Here's my list of reasons (excuses) on why my book still isn't out yet.  The book is short, not even a 150 pages and yet it's still not out?  What's up?  Here's my reasons:

 I've been going through some eye issues, my eyes have been irritating and burning whenever I stare too long at my computer screen.  I work at a desk in front of a computer for eight hours everyday so that plus going home to look at another screen is causing me a lot of pain.  I've taken the measures to get these issues checked out but I won't be able to see a doctor until next month.Second reason my soul sucking job.  I work in a call center that deals with billing problems BILLING so when people call me they're always mad, yelling, angry, and calling me names.  It causes me so much stress whenever I get home all I want to do is eat, sleep, and cry.  Editing or writing is the last thing on my mind.  Then when I try to write I feel like it's all complete garbage and I stop.  I hate it, I could be done by now.  The saddest part is I always get the most urge to write when I'm actually at work.  I'm also on the verge of being fired due to my performance so that's another thing.  I happy to have a form of income but I absolutely despise this job.  I want to be a writer, that's it!  I know writing may not take off for me so I'm now in the process of finding another job. Anxiety/Depression.  I've been dealing with depression since middle school and the while anxiety thing just started a few years ago.  With my book I'm greatly worried about my family reading it.  That sounds weird but for me they have such high expectations I'm afraid that they'll realize I'm actually not as good of a writer or storyteller than they thought.  Or they won't like the characters or subject matter.  It physically makes me sick just thinking about it.  I know people will hate my book and I'm okay with that, I WANT TO SEE BAD REVIEWS so I can know how to improve on my next book.  I just worry I'll disappoint my family or they'll be embarrassed of me cause my writing is so shitty.  So there are my vague reasons, I want to have it out before the summer if not before the end of April but I'm not so sure.  Sorry if anyone is actually interested in my book.

Just a few weeks away, seriously...

It's almost finished and I'm so excited (and scared).  So many things have happened to me in the process of writing this book.  I don't have an exact date it's coming out.  I won't have that until I get it off to the editor.  I've been trying to get this stupid book out for a longtime now so I wouldn't be surprised if no one buys it. LOL  I had so many obstacles (like any writer): stressful job, mental issues, and procrastination.  But I'm doing it.  Somehow.  I took off a day of work to finish up, honestly I'm in awe of people who can put out multiple books per month.  Fingers crossed Mean Boys Part 2 doesn't take as long.  Also I reached 200 adds on my Goodreads author page, I'm afraid they're expectations for it won't be met.  All I can do is write the most entertaining story I can and churn out more books.  Lastly I might be getting a new cover.  I love the one I have but I found this new cover artist and they're work is AMAZING.  It's just a thought at the moment but I'll have to decide soon.

BETAREADER search...

I love finding pictures of people who remind me of my characters, I can't help but save them into my computer.  Even if the person is way too beautiful to be my character.  Some writers can go overboard with how gorgeous they make their characters, I try to have a balance.  I don't like the idea of comparing a male character to Dionysus (I read this in a young adult book once), the troupe of comparing hot male characters to Greek gods is cringe worthy.  This happens so much in YA it's ridiculous.  Yes beautiful human characters are fun but lets give then some flaws please!  Or at least try not to describe how perfect a character looks every five words, lol.  This guy is HOT and how I'd picture my main male character Zeus D'Arcy if he were perfect. (not sure who the model is, I found these randomly months ago)
At the moment I'm still in the 2nd draft stages of my book, I'm contemplating if I should find a few beta readers once I get the final draft edited.  It'll only be around 100 pages, a serial, so it wouldn't be something time consuming.  I'd like to just know the genuine opinion of people who typically read YA or NA.  Right now even though I'm far from being done I'm looking to take emails from people interested.  Here's a warning, Mean Boys is set in a boarding school but there are mature themes which makes it more suited for the New Adult audience.  Cussing/sexual themes, etc.  With that in mind anyone interested please email me at Authorbarbiehall@yahoo.com (watch as no one contacts me T.T) I'll also be on the search myself.  I have a lot of time off from work this month, so all my days are going to spent putting the last little details into this.  I'm also making sure Part 2 doesn't take as long!